At Prepper World, customers plan for the worst

Prepper World, which sells emergency and homesteading products, opened June 19 in the Trolley Station Outlet Mall in Lower Nazareth Township.

Prepper World, which sells emergency and homesteading products, opened June 19 in the Trolley Station Outlet Mall in Lower Nazareth Township.

Valley Shopping Scene

Prepare for zombie apocalypse and other emergency situations at Prepper World

Maybe you just saw "Independence Day" and are wondering how you'd handle an alien invasion. Perhaps you've watched "The Walking Dead" too many times and are fearing cannibalistic corpses. Or maybe, just maybe, you simply want to ready yourself for a fire, flood or other realistic emergency.

Whatever the case may be, Prepper World in Lower Nazareth Township is here to help.

The store, which opened June 19 on the lower level of the Trolley Station Outlet Mall on Nazareth Pike, sells a variety of emergency, survival and homesteading products — from candles, folding saws and bulletproof vests to machetes, thermal blankets and water filters.

"Many of these products prepare you for emergencies, but several also lend themselves to a homesteading frame of mind, where people seek a more self-reliant lifestyle," owner Bob Fray said. "In that regard, we have camping gear, organic seeds, food dehydrators and other related items."

In the short time the business has been open, Fray labels various books and magazines to be among the best-sellers. Some of the titles include "Creating Rain Gardens," "Wind Power Basics," "When Disaster Strikes" and "100 Skills You'll Need for the End of the World (As We Know It)."

(Emily Paine)

Other featured items include glow sticks, LED flashlights, crossbows, knives, slingshots and bug-out bags, or packs containing a compass, fire-starter, food and other items one would require to survive three days.

For those looking to endure an undead epidemic, there's even a Zombie Survival Kit ($52), containing a 40-piece first-aid kit, trauma dressing, poncho and more.

Fray, of Bethlehem, was inspired to open the shop after years of watching homesteading and survivalist shows, including his current favorite, "The Walking Dead." He obtains the merchandise from dozens of distributors and manufacturers, researching the quality of each product beforehand.

"We can also special order thousands of items that we don't carry in stock, including large shipping containers that serve as bunkers during emergencies," added Fray, noting the containers cost around $2,000 each.

Because Fray works full time as a financial controller, Prepper World's hours vary weekly and customers are advised to check the business' website, prepper-world.com, before visiting. The shop is typically open Friday through Sunday, Fray said, with today's hours being noon to 3 p.m. Info: 484-523-5846.

Another business in the Trolley Station Outlet Mall has opened a second location in Whitehall Township.

The Vaping Oasis, which opened last year on the lower level, debuted a larger electronic cigarettes and accessories store Saturday at 22 Alta Drive, next to MP Outfitters.

The shop, owned by Harley Butz, is nearly double the size of the original at 1,850 square feet. It features a Tiki bar, lounge area and more than 200 e-liquid flavors.

A grand opening featuring an appearance by Chad Szeliga, the drummer from Breaking Benjamin, will be held on July 24. Info: 610-841-2050 or thevapingoasis.com.

Just north of the Trolley Station Outlet Mall, Faust Family Produce at 523 Nazareth Pike in Lower Nazareth Township has been the subject of much curiosity.

"They are usually open by now, but it does not look like any preparations are being done to open," writes Maureen Reinert. "They have the best sweet corn in the Valley and seemed to do a thriving business."

Unfortunately, I don't have an answer. The phone number appears to be disconnected and on a recent trip to the produce stand, I encountered only locked doors and no sign indicating its status.

In west Allentown, Roth's Flowers at 2126 Tilghman St. (next to Shell gas station) closed last week after nearly 80 years of business. According to Lisa Roth, niece of owner Dr. Marjorie Roth, her aunt is retiring at the age of 84.

"This business has been in our family for generations and it has been an institution in the West End for decades," Lisa said.

Roth's was founded by Dr. Roth's parents, Clarence and Bernice, at Ninth and Tilghman streets in 1936. Its most recent location was acquired in 1948.

For Retail Watchers looking to remodel their homes, take note of Bailiwick Interior Design's new showroom at 114 E. Broad St. in Bethlehem.

The business, founded by Carrie Oesmann in 1999, offers design consulting, full-service interior design, bath and kitchen design, window treatments and product selection. Its original location is in Sparta, N.J. Info: 201-919-7811 or bailiwickdesign.com.

As my colleague Kayla Dwyer reported June 29, the Gap and GapKids stores at the Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley will close their doors this month as part of a nationwide cost-cutting initiative at the struggling retailer. Both of the stores posted on their Facebook pages last weekend that their last day will be July 26.

The stores are among 175 in North America that will shutter, 140 of them before the end of the fiscal year on Jan. 31. Gap Inc. announced the cuts in mid-June as part of an "aggressive agenda designed to strengthen the brand" in its more successful locations, according a news release.

Gap Inc. said it will also eliminate 250 jobs at its headquarters to try to make the management more efficient. After the closings, Gap will have about 800 stores in North America, which includes three in the Lehigh Valley: Gap and GapKids stores at the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township and a Gap store at the Palmer Park Mall in Palmer Township. Info: gap.com.

If you're already on the hunt for back-to-school clothing, you might want to stop by Zoe's Place when it reopens in its new location next month in Allentown.

The consignment store, specializing in children's, teen and maternity clothing and accessories, ended its nearly six-year run at the Merchants Square Mall in March and is preparing to reopen at 924 N. 19th St. in early August, according to a recent post on its Facebook page. The space previously housed Hersh's Market.

According to the company's website, it also hosts seasonal All 4 Kids consignment sales twice a year at Christ Centered Life Ministries church in south Allentown. Consignors earn 60 percent of the prices they set, with an opportunity to earn 85 percent if they volunteer during the event. Info: shopzoesplace.com.

Two Lehigh County businesses aiming to improve the way you look and feel are gearing up for late July openings.

According to the company's website, the chain offers body and face-waxing services, along with skin-care products ranging from lotions and body washes to ingrown hair serums and tweezer kits. The company's only other Lehigh Valley presence is on Dryland Way in Lower Nazareth Township. Info: waxcenter.com.

Second, Metta Relaxation Co. is coming to 618 W. Broad St. in Bethlehem, near the Mayflower Luncheonette.

According to Stephanie Bealer, a nutritionist and reflexologist who will operate the business with her husband, Buddy, the facility will feature five custom float rooms — each containing an extra-large tub with 900 pounds of Epsom salt dissolved in 10 inches of water, heated to 93.5 degrees. Floating in serene silence, you'll be able to enjoy total darkness or customize the lighting to fit your mood.

The renovated three-floor building also will offer other relaxation services such as yoga, reflexology, massage, meditation, reiki and tai chi. Info: mettarelax.com.

Just a few blocks west of Metta Relaxation Co., The Puppy Palace Doggie Day Care is preparing to move from its home of nine years at 1019 W. Broad St. to 910 14th Ave., Suite 2, Bethlehem. The larger space will feature about 4,000 square feet of play area inside and about 3,000 square feet outside.

Founded by owner Shannon Patrick in 2006, the business offers day care services for dogs on weekdays and is looking to introduce service on Saturdays at its new location, opening July 13. Info: 610-691-0790 or thepuppypalace.com.

I'll finish with a few updates on "coming soon" restaurants.

First, Little Caesars will start serving "pizza! pizza!" at 3125 W. Tilghman St. in South Whitehall Township, between Lehigh Valley Gold Buyer and Sunoco, in "hopefully three to four weeks," according to franchisee Richard Loz. Loz also operates shops in Allentown, Emmaus, Quakertown and Wilson. Info: littlecaesars.com.

Second, a 90-seat seafood and steak house called Adagio is expected to open by the end of July at the former 530 Grille on Pembroke Road in Bethlehem

The building, which also housed Nueva Lanterna Fusion Grill and Rum Bar and The Lantern restaurant, has been undergoing extensive renovations since last summer.

According to owner Anthony Spagnola, who also operates Sotto Santi Pizzeria Pub and Italian Restaurant in south Bethlehem, the restaurant will feature a 30-seat rectangular bar, 90-seat dining room and 200-seat banquet room. It will start out BYOB.

Third, Fiorentina Grill Steakhouse & Seafood will open by the end of July at 1106 Trexlertown Road in Breinigsville. The eatery is next to Mama's Italian Grill, which co-owners and brothers-in-law Giuseppe DiFiore and Marcello D'Agostino also operate.

According to DiFiore, the 80-seat restaurant will serve customers' favorites from Mama's, as well as new dishes such as Fiorentina steak, veal scallopini and shrimp oreganta.

The 1,780-square-foot restaurant, which will feature a patio and open kitchen, is accepting applications for all positions at Mama's. The family also operates a Mama's in Berlinsville. Info: facebook.com/FiorentinaGrill.

Retail Watch keeps track of new store, restaurant and bank development in the Lehigh Valley. Have a question about a retail construction project, store opening or chain you'd like to see come to the area? Contact reporter Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.